ADOPTING TOGETHER The Adopting Together Model - design and impact A presentation by Wendy Keidan Deputy Director St. David’s Children Society ADOPTING TOGETHER

Responding to a Need THE CHALLENGES THE WILL Growing gap between numbers of adopters being recruited and children waiting. Increase in children waiting over 12 months for a family. Research (Shelton (Cardiff) Selwyn(Bristol)) converged in highlighting how post adoption support could be best addressed or else mitigated through early intervention and by taking preventative measures wherever possible. Addressing robust adoption support needs alongside identifying families for children waiting the longest for a family. THE WILL The will to work together across the Voluntary and Statutory sector has emerged from a common and clearly defined purpose: securing permanence for children deemed harder to place. Well Being of Future Generations(2015) Act – Requires statutory and third sector organisations to work together towards a common goal. This partnership approach is supported by Cardiff University School of Psychology and Cardiff Business School. Expectations for all parties clearly defined through Service Level Agreements.(agreed by Heads of Service.) Finances attached to project £8,000 (£2,000 recruitment and training – not recouped if placement not made.) £6,000 Therapeutic Adoption Support. WAR data -2.3.18 (102 children with no links 25 adopters no links – only 3 will take 2 children )

The Adopting Together Model The uniqueness of the model is to bring together theoretical knowledge and best practice models that have been developed across the UK into one distinct model with four interlinking components. These components encompass effective transitions and an early interventions approach that support the main carer–child relationship (staying alongside the child). The model has been developed through our relationships with statutory, voluntary, academic and therapeutic partners. We have consulted with adopters about the key messages aligned to the project and the project branding. Child development, attachment therory ,brain development ,developmental trauma

Component One Component Two Component Three Component Four Specific recruitment of adopters by St. David’s Children Society and Barnardo’s including child specific recruitment in partnership with Local Authority and Regional teams. Component Two Team for Child meeting pre formal matching led by a Clinical Psychologist and coordinated by Project Manager – VVA. Component Three Transitions sessions through structured play pre and post move to adoptive family. Component Four Consultation meetings post placement led by Clinical Psychologist.

Component One: Recruitment and Training 1 Component One: Recruitment and Training St. David’s Children Society and Barnardo’s will recruit families to meet the needs of children referred to the project by the Regional Collaboratives. (Referral Pathway 1) If there are no families available for the children referred to the project, a child specific recruitment strategy will be developed in partnership with the Local Authority and Regional Collaborative. The approach which is unique in Wales has been evidenced through research by Selwyn (2008) and Farmer (2010) to reduce the timescales in identifying families for more complex children. (Referral Pathway 2) Families that Last (After Adoption) have seen a reduction in waiting times by 40% of children referred to their child specific recruitment project. Selwyn (2008) when children are actively promoted more potential adopters are identified 2010 formal planning meetings at start of family finding leads to an agreed strategy and timescales reduce

Component Two: Team for the Child Meeting 2 Component Two: Team for the Child Meeting Purpose - Brings together a wealth of information from those who know the child best. This will lead to a psychological formulation about the child and the parenting tasks required across the transitions and beyond. Pre-preparation - Led by a Clinical Psychologist and co-ordinated by Adopting Together Project Manager. Will include the production of the Trauma-Nurture timeline providing a detailed and complete picture of the child. Foster carers experience of the child and voice of child (child’s account) gathered. Meetings will take place with prospective adopters prior to the meeting. Outcomes – Psychological formulation undertaken and report prepared outlining the key issues and approaches most helpful in undertaking the parenting task. To consider transition planning. To consider post adoption support needs which will inform adoption support plan. Think about child appreciation meetings?

Component Three: Transitions 3 Component Three: Transitions Supporting transitions pre and post placement through structured therapeutic play. Foster carer and adopter are supported to work together to ensure that the child develops a coherent narrative about moving from one primary attachment figure to another. Primary goal – child needs the adults around them to provide the scaffolding to help them remain regulated during the move from one primary care giver to another. Worker will write a therapeutic story for the child.

Component Four: Consultation Meetings 4 Component Four: Consultation Meetings Supporting families post-placement through follow up consultation meetings with clinical psychologist, child care and adoption social worker. This will allow new parents to safely reflect on the actual lived in experience of parenting their child; revisiting information received at Team For Child meeting or pre approval training. Difficulties are anticipated and normalised. Key messages to be shared at the Adoption support Review meetings. Consultation meetings may identify further therapeutic interventions.

Analysing Impact Intermediate Reduction in numbers of children waiting the longest to find a family Increase in the numbers of adopters wishing to explore adopting children who wait the longest. Adopters experience pre placement – early opportunity to explore the needs of children with those who know the child best. Children’s experience pre and post placement - supported in their move from foster care to adoption. Adopters experience post placement - opportunity to reflect on the lived in experience of the child. Professional experience-using collective expertise to meet need.

Longer term Tailored support packages that recognise the children placed through the project are likely to need the most support in the short and longer term. Early investment (8k supplement ) for longer term savings across the life span. £300k for a 5 year old for whom a placement is not secured( National Fostering Framework). £33k per year post adoptive breakdown( Selwyn et al 2006). Increased parental efficacy to meet the needs of their child and to regard adoption support as the norm. The long term impact of a traumatic move from one primarily care giver to another is mitigated through supporting primary attachment figures to work together. This will allow the child to develop an emotionally coherent narrative that makes sense throughout their childhood and beyond. Processes will need to be revisited at different development stages as the child's understanding develops.

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